Thought Stealer

This trick follows naturally after the preceding feat, since it duplicates the effect of the other by an entirely different means. This course should be followed wherever possible when you are requested to repeat a trick.

1. Turn to one of the spectators and say, "There are sceptics in every group, and it may well be that in your secret thoughts you believe that by some hocus pocus the feat you have just witnessed was not genuine mind reading. If I can divine your thought will you agree that there is more to this than meets the eye? You will. Very well, let's see if you are as admirable a concentrator as I think you are."

2. As you say this, idly run through the pack and remove these cards

2C 6S 5H 7S 4D QD

one at a time in that order, placing the six of spades slightly overlapping the two of clubs, the five of hearts overlapping the six of spades, and so on with the others (Fig. 11).

3. "Now, sir," you continue, "while I turn my back, I shall ask you to think of one of these cards. Will you do that?" Turn away. When the spectator says he is ready, turn around. "Now, sir, you are the only person in this room who knows the name of the card you have mentally selected. That is right, is it not? Good. Then be sure to keep your mind fixed on it."

Gather up the six cards by sliding them together, retaining their order, and place them on the top of the pack. Thus the top card is the two of clubs and the sixth card the queen of diamonds.

4. Continue, "Once again! shall offer proof that I can actually read minds." As you say this, begin an overhand shuffle by lifting the lower half of the deck, run nine cards, injog the next card, and shuffle off. Undercut at the injog and throw on top. Your sequence of six cards now runs from the tenth card to the sixteenth card from the top of the pack.

5. Hand the pack to the spectator, saying, "I shall now offer my proof. I want you to spell the name of your card mentally and for each letter in its name I want you to deal a single card. For example, if you thought of the ace of diamonds, you will spell a-c-e o-f d-i-a- m-o-n-d-s . Is that clear? Don't forget the of ."

When the spectator says that he understands, have h/m make the deal and then say: "Now I want you to pick up the last card you dealt, hold it face downwards and think intently of the card you chose mentally, which is unknown to the rest of us. You've done that? Now, for the first time, please name your card." The spectator does so. "Thank you. Will you be so good as to look at the card which you hold?"

He does so and finds that he is holding the very card which he selected mentally.

The explanation is a simple one. Each card, after the first, spells with one letter more than the preceding card, thus: two of clubs (10 letters), six of spades (11 letters), five of hearts (12 letters), and so on. Since there are several cards in the deck which will fit into each position, you will be able to pick them out quickly and apparently at random. This subtle principle should be borne in mind, for there are many effective feats which can be performed with it.